What Does ‘Move the Goal Posts’ Mean?

You may have heard the phrase “move the goal posts” when talking about jobs or office dynamics. It is a phrase used to describe when an employer or manager changes the requirements for a task or job role, as though they have moved the goal post further away from the original task.

For example, an employer initially tells an employee that they need to finish a project in two weeks. Then, the employer changes their mind and tells the employee that they need to finish it in a week. In this example, the employer has moved the goal posts.

The phrase is used figuratively, which means that it could be used to describe different situations. It could also describe when a team or group has to work to a different set of standards or expectations than they originally planned for. For example, an employer may require a team to complete a project in two weeks, but then change it to one week. Again, the employer has moved the goal posts to create new expectations.

It’s important to remember that the phrase “move the goal posts” does not necessarily mean that the expectations or requirements are unfair or unreasonable. It simply means that the expectations or requirements for a task have changed or shifted.

As a person just entering the job market, it’s important to be aware of business lingo such as “move the goal posts,” to make sure that you understand what is being asked of you and are able to complete tasks and meet expectations on time.